2018 Guidelines Community Grant Program

Transcription

1 2018 Guidelines Community Grant Program Grant applications are due Friday, October 13, 2017 by 4:30 PM

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PURPOSE FUNDING CATEGORIES ELIGIBILITY INELIGIBILITY APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS... 8 GRANTS PORTAL HOW TO APPLY... 9 APPLICATION ASSESSMENT PROCESS APPEALS PROCESS PAYMENT CONCERNED STATUS RECOGNITION FINAL REPORTS TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF GRANT ASSISTANCE INSURANCE CERTIFICATE GUIDELINES MANDATORY COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM WEBINAR P a g e

4 PURPOSE The Municipal Act enables the Corporation of the City of Mississauga (the City ) to award grants. The Community Grant Program (the Program ) demonstrates City Council s commitment to the development of community based groups which advance the City s vision and goals and contribute to the City s quality of life. The Program is further designed to support City Council established groups and organizations. The Program funding is subject to City Council approval and the funding amount may change annually. To provide greater flexibility and to be able to respond to current trends and needs, the funding categories may also change. The Program assists Mississauga-based, not-for-profit community groups by providing Operating and Project grants in the following sector: Recreation and Sport o Grants for recreation and sport groups exist for the purpose of providing municipally-related programs, services or projects specifically to the residents of Mississauga. o Recreation and Sport grants are administered by the Recreation Division. Parks and Forestry o Parks and Forestry grants support community-based parks initiatives and programs. These grants provide funds to eligible organizations to work with the City to achieve the Parks and Forestry goals and achieve municipal strategic objectives. o Parks and Forestry grants are administered by the Parks and Forestry Division. Environment o Environment grants support community-based environmental initiatives and programs. These grants provide funds to eligible organizations to work with the City to achieve the Living Green Master Plan s goals and achieve municipal strategic environmental objectives. o Environmental grants are administered by the Environment Division. 4 P a g e

5 FUNDING CATEGORIES Project Grant Application Project grants are intended to support a specific event or activity taking place within a defined period. Project funding is provided to support new or pilot initiatives outside the organization s normal range of activity. Projects should have a clearly defined objective and a distinct budget. Funding awarded must be spent during the calendar year in which it is awarded. Funding Available: Up to 50% of total project budget OR up to $5,000, whichever is less. Operating Grant Application Operating grants assist in the costs of general operations and program delivery. Operating funding is provided on a one-year basis. Funding awarded must be spent during the calendar year in which it is awarded. Funding Available: Up to 65% of total project budget OR up to $10,000, whichever is less. Applications may be approved for less s than the maximum grant amount and less than what has been requested. 5 P a g e

6 ELIGIBILITY The City will consider Project and Operating grant applications from organizations that at a minimum meet the below eligibility requirements: Operating on a not-for-profit basis (incorporated & unincorporated) and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors; Operating with a specific mandate to provide and support recreation and sport, parks and forestry, or environment; Operating year-round; Based and active in Mississauga; Providing programs and services, open to the public and publicized city-wide; Have not received funding for the same purpose for more than two (2) consecutive years. 6 P a g e

7 INELIGIBILITY Grants are not available for: Government agencies For-profit organizations Organizations aligned with a political party or to support programs or services thereof Individuals Educational institutions Commercial ventures Activities that take place outside of the City of Mississauga Project Grants Only: Activities that are within the normal range of activity for the applicant Items and activities not eligible ible for funding include: Donations to charitable causes; Bursaries or granting programs; Fundraising projects and initiatives; Deficit reduction funding and/or accumulated deficits; Major capital expenditures (such as the purchase of land, buildings, building renovations, machinery and vehicles); Projects where participation is conditional upon partaking in the religious activities of the organization; Travel and accommodation; Attendance at, or fees associated with conventions, conferences, workshops, or seminars; Membership fees; Banquets, trophies or award presentations; Promotion of a political party of election candidate; Activities that charge an admission fee; Projects occurring on private residences; Competitions and travel to competitions; In the case of project proposals, when the activity begins before the application deadline or ends after the calendar year in funding is being requested; Expenses accruing prior to the current granting cycle; Organizations that receive funding through any other City of Mississauga granting program; Organizations or activities that the City deems may promote discrimination, as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code and that are not inclusive. The City does not fund retroactively. If groups choose to start a project or otherwise commit funds before knowing that a grant application has been approved, the City of Mississauga is under no obligation to provide funding. 7 P a g e

8 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 1. A fully completed application form must be submitted no later than Friday October 13, 2017 by 4:30pm. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applications cannot be submitted by , fax or paper copy. 2. Application submissions must be completed online using the City of Mississauga s Grants Portal. ( 3. The following attachments are required to be uploaded with your completed grant application: Financial Documents 2016 Year End Financials signed by two members of the Board (Balance Sheet and Income Statement) 2017 Year-to-Date Financials (Balance Sheet and Income Statement) 2018 Proposed Budget (using the template provided within the Grants Portal) Cash Flow Statement; specifically for project or program/services to be funded by the City of Mississauga. (using the template provided within the Grants Portal) Governance Documents Board of Directors Contact List and Position Titles (i.e. Chair/President, Treasurer, etc.) Strategic Plan Constitution/By-laws 4. Legally binding electronic signatures of both the Executive Director and Board Chair must be provided showing they have read and accepted the Terms and Conditions. To complete the application appropriately and in full please allow sufficient time to do so. Consider having a third-party proof read your application prior to submission to ensure clarity and accuracy. 8 P a g e

9 GRANTS PORTAL HOW TO APPLY The City of Mississauga requires all grant applications to be submitted through its Grants Portal. If you have already created an account you can use the login information you created the previous year to apply for funding in To access the portal for go to: Then select CLICK HERE under ACCESS OUR GRANT PROGRAMS For Returning Users: Click on the Sign In button and enter your password For First Time Users: To set up an account follow these steps: 1. Click the Sign Up button; 2. From Sign Up, enter your full name (first and last), address, set a time zone and create and confirm your password; 3. Click Register ; 4. Complete the Eligibility Form by clicking Start and answering all questions in the form. 5. Click Save and Exit when finished. 6. Once the Eligibility Form is completed, click View Awards to see a list of awards (grants) you are eligible for. 7. Click Create Submission to start a submission for an award (grant). Once you have created your account, you will be able to access the Grants Portal each granting period. Certain information entered into the application will be saved for future applications. TIP: Share your organizations login information with at least two (2) people from your organization to ensure that your access to the site will not be restricted if the individual who originally registered is not available. The Grants Portal contains all grants for the City of Mississauga s a s Community Services Division.. Please ensure you have selected the correct ct grant program. Organizations can only apply to one grant category within the Community Grant Program. 9 P a g e

10 APPLICATION ASSESSMENT PROCESS The grant applications will be reviewed by staff for completeness and eligibility. All eligible applications are then provided to the Review Committee for evaluation. Each section of the application will be evaluated by the Review Committee on an equal basis using FIVE (5) areas of measure: Program / Project Merit Accessibility Effectiveness Accountability Rationale / Need for Funding Program / Project Merit Program/project merit will be assessed within the specific context of the organization s own stated priorities and values, and within the general context and standards of community-based and professional practices in the respective fields of community programs. Degree to which the organization s program/project reflects and fulfills its mandate and objectives; Expertise in identifying, designing and delivering programs and/or services, and evaluating their impact upon targeted and broader communities; Evidence of ongoing self-assessment that has helped invigorate and enhance the quality and innovativeness of the community; Distinctiveness of the organization s activities in the context of comparable activities in Mississauga, and its ability to initiate unique opportunities for participants and other service groups; Degree to which the organization s program/project works towards the City s Strategic Goals. Accessibility Accessibility is achieved when the programs or services encourage the participation of all residents; membership and/or user fees are appropriate; and the services or programs are convenient to access. Adheres to the Ontario Human Rights Code and AODA legislation as required based on the organizations size; Programs and/or services offered are open to the general public; 10 P a g e

11 Membership and user fees established are appropriate for the services provided, and are in accordance with community standards for the type of service. The group may further demonstrate its level of commitment to accessibility by: Actively promoting membership to all members of the community; Designing programs and services which could benefit all members of the community. Effectiveness Effectiveness is achieved when the impacts or outcomes of a service or program can be identified and measured, and is found to be consistent with the group's mandate, positive for the community and works to support the City s Strategic Goals. Objectives, which may include a mission statement or mandate, are clearly stated; Programs and services developed are consistent with the group's objectives or mission statement; Mission statement, programs and services are reviewed and revised to ensure their continuing relevance to the community; Operates in a cost-effective manner, and according to a clear business plan. The group may further demonstrate its level of commitment to effectiveness by: Evaluating services and programs with input from participants; Responding to community needs through modification of programs or services as required. Accountability Accountability is achieved when the group exhibits sound governance, management and financial practices to fulfill their mandate. Follows democratic practices (election, full disclosure of finances, etc.), accountable to an independent and elected volunteer board of directors & general membership; Full disclosure of anticipated revenue sources and how those funds will be expended; Full disclosure of all assets and reserve funds, and their purpose; Operates with the benefit of a business plan or budget; Group actively pursues fundraising activities or alternate sources of revenue; Sound financial statements/information is provided when and as required. 11 P a g e

12 Rationale / Need for Funding Need for funding can only be assessed following the group s ability to demonstrate a comprehensive grant application in the area of program/project merit, accessibility, effectiveness and accountability practices. Justified in terms of the group's own understanding of the specific financial need as outlined in the cash flow statement; Ability to describe how grant funding will directly support the project, programs/services to further organizational goals; Demonstrates added value from the financial assistance from the City of Mississauga. The Review Committee s final recommendations will be provided to Council and considered at a meeting of its General Committee in early All applicants will be notified of the final recommendation regarding their application prior to the General Committee meeting. Applicants may request to make a deputation to General Committee regarding the grant recommendations, and a staff liaison will assist with arrangements. Lastly, General Committee s recommendations are then provided to City Council for final approval. Organizations are notified in writing/ of the funding amount approved following City Council approval. Under normal circumstances, applicants are notified four months after the application deadline. 12 P a g e

13 APPEALS PROCESS An applicant may submit an appeal to for the Review Committee in the case where it can be demonstrated that the information in the application was misunderstood in the assessment process. An appeal must be submitted in writing by the date provided in the notice of recommendation. Groups are advised of the recommendation as soon as possible following the assessments, but no later than January. The following are not considered grounds for appeal: Grant application and/or required documents were not submitted by the deadline; Organization does not meet eligibility criteria; Change of information in the application since the grant deadline date. PAYMENT Please ensure the mailing address provided in your application is correct. Should you be approved for funding, this address is where payment will be mailed. Project Grants Grants up to $5,000 A cheque for the total amount awarded is mailed out approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks following City Council s final approval. Operating Grants Grants up to $10,000 A cheque for the total amount awarded is mailed out approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks following City Council s final approval. The City reserves the right to adjust the final payment, in the event that unexpected budget cuts are required, subsequent to approval. 13 P a g e

14 CONCERNED STATUS In some circumstances, the Review Committee may recommend placing an organization on Concerned Status. Concerned Status is meant to signal City Council where particular organizations may benefit from more assistance. An organization placed on Concerned Status receives additional advice and coaching from the appropriate Division. Concerned Status may occur if the organization: has a major deficit (10 percent or more of its annual operating budget), and/or shows evidence of not being financially viable, and/or does not demonstrate the ability to plan into the future, and/or does not meet contractual obligations or minimum requirements outlined in the guidelines, and/or demonstrates management or governance practices which do not conform to generally acceptable practices in the sector (i.e. conflict of interest) An organization that is placed on Concerned Status will be required to meet quarterly with City staff from the appropriate Division in order to review the following documentation: Profit & Loss Statement; Balance Sheet; Year-to-Date Budget; Bank Reconciliation (only if requested specifically); New or Updated Business Plan; Other Documentation as Applicable. An organization that is on Concerned Status may have conditions attached to the release of grant funds. 14 P a g e

15 RECOGNITION Public recognition of the funding and the activities it supports is an important way for the group or organization to tell others about the work being done with City funding while demonstrating openness and accountability about how public funds are spent. Information about groups and organizations that receive City grants including the name, address, telephone/fax numbers and general organization addresses may be made public by the City. The City reserves the right to make a public announcement about any approved investment. Please refer to Terms and Conditions of Grant Assistance FINAL REPORTS All funding recipients must complete a final report highlighting how the grant benefited residents of the City. All Final Reports are to be completed and submitted through the Grants Portal. Project Grant Recipients Due no later than 30 days following the event/project. Information requested will include, but is not limited to: Project Outcomes what difference did this project make and how do you know (ex. measurement results, testimonials, attendance numbers etc.); Challenges provide an overview of any challenges or unforeseen events. Completed Financial Report outline how the City funds were spent. This is to be signed by an individual authorized to sign on behalf of the organization (i.e. Chair/President, Treasurer, Executive Director); Next Steps provide an overview of the next steps for the project/applicant as appropriate; Photo(s) of your project in action (if possible). Operating Grant Recipients - Due: October 1st, 2018 Information requested will include, but is not limited to: Measurement Outcomes o How did funding strengthen the organization through capacity, engagement, etc.; how did funding benefit the organization (and in turn, the residents of the City) o Number of Volunteers / Value of Volunteers / Forecast of Volunteers o Number of Program Participants / Forecast of Program Participants Completed Financial Report and Sustainability Statement If a Final Report is not received, the organization may no longer be eligible for funding. 15 P a g e

16 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF GRANT ASSISTANCE 2018 Please note; if your organization (the Recipient ) receives the financial assistance (the Grant ) from The Corporation of the City of Mississauga (the City ) under this Community Grant Program (the Program ), the following conditions will apply. 1. Pursuant to the current terms and conditions, the City may terminate the Grant and demand a partial or full repayment of the Grant provided if: a) the Recipient makes misrepresentations in its application for the Grant; b) the Grant is not used for the purpose of the services/programs or project as described in the application; c) the services/programs or project proposed in the application is not commenced in a timely manner as described in its application; d) the services/programs or project is not completed within the fiscal year for which the Grant was intended for, except otherwise approved by the City; e) the services/programs or project is completed without requiring the total amount of the Grant; f) the Recipient ceases operating or dissolves; g) the Recipient ceases to operate as a non-profit organization; h) the Recipient merges or amalgamates with any other party; i) the Recipient breaches any of the terms and conditions of the grant assistance; or, j) the Recipient breaches any of the provisions of the Ontario Human rights code, as amended, or any other applicable law, regulations, the City s corporate policies, bylaws or Program Guidelines in its operations. 2. It is the responsibility of the Recipient to notify the City s Recreation Division immediately of the occurrence of any of the grounds for which the City may demand repayment of the Grant provided (listed in Term #1 above) and/or if there are any changes in the funding of the project from that contemplated in the application. 3. The Grant shall only be used for the purposes outlined in the application subject to City approval. Any change to the purpose of the Grant is prohibited, except otherwise approved in writing by the City. 4. The Recipient will make or continue to make attempts to secure funding from other sources as indicated in its application. If the Recipient fails to secure sufficient funding for the services/programs or project as indicated in its application, the City, at its sole discretion, may demand a partial or full repayment of the Grant. 5. The Recipient shall keep and make available proper books of account and records of the financial management of the funds provided by the City in accordance with generally 16 P a g e

17 accepted business and accounting practices, the Recipient authorizes the City or its agents to inspect any records, invoices, and documents in the custody or control of the Recipient which relate to the Grant at all reasonable times. 6. The Recipient is required to submit a final report on the operational, project and/or capital activities as required by the City. The Grant may not be made available to organizations that fail to meet reporting requirements for any approved Grant. 7. The Recipient represents and warrants that the services/programs or project shall not be represented as City services/programs or City project, and that the Recipient does not have the authority to hold itself out as an agent of the City in any way. The Recipient shall not hold out the City as a partner or otherwise responsible for any obligations relating to the services/programs or project. 8. The Recipient shall acknowledge the support of the City in all advertising, publicity, programs, signage and plaques relating to the services/programs or project for which funds are granted. 9. In the circumstance the Recipient disbands, the Recipient must notify the City immediately and dispose of their assets in a responsible manner. Any unused portion of the Grant remains the property of the City and shall be returned to the City upon request. 10. The Recipient shall not transfer or assign the Grant or any part thereof to another person. 11. The Recipient acknowledges and agrees that any action taken by or on behalf of the City shall be unconditionally subject to the Municipal Act, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, as amended, and any other applicable law or regulations governing the City or its agents, including the City s By-laws and Policies (collectively the Applicable Law ) and the City shall not be required to take any action in respect of the Program, or otherwise, if such action would be, or would be reasonably likely to be, in violation of any such Applicable Law or ultra vires the powers of the City. 12. The Recipient acknowledges and agrees that City Staff may accept tickets to events and performances, in accordance with the City s Conflict of Interest Policy, respecting the Acceptance of Gifts, Benefits, or Favours Section of the Policy and that the City and the Recipient shall at all times adhere to rules set forth therein. 13. The Recipient, including its subcontractors, employees, workers, volunteers and agents, shall indemnify and save the City harmless, including the City's elected officials, officers, employees, agents and contractors (the Indemnified Person ), from and against any loss, cost and expense incurred by the City because of any demand, action or claim brought against the City as a result of any loss of or damage to property, personal injury or death, 17 P a g e

18 or any other losses or damages, both direct or indirect, howsoever and whatsoever incurred, suffered or sustained by the Recipient, including its subcontractors, employees, workers, volunteers and agents, or by a person other than the Recipient arising out of or in any way related to the Grant received or any obligation of the Recipient under this Program, or by anyone for whom in law the Recipient is responsible. 14. The Recipient, including its subcontractors, employees, workers, volunteers and agents, agrees that it shall absolutely and irrevocably releases the City and its Indemnified Person from any liability, loss, damages, costs, expense or claims suffered or incurred by the Recipient, including its subcontractors, employees, workers, volunteers and agents, whether arising in contract, tort, negligence, common law, equity or otherwise, in any connection with the Grant received or any obligation of the Recipient under this Program. 15. The City reserves the right to verify the membership lists provided to the City. 16. The Recipient agrees to receive information on the Program or other related information, news, events, promotions, offers and contests from the City. 17. The Recipient understands and agrees that the receipt of a Grant in one year does not guarantee funding in the following fiscal year. 18. The Recipient shall comply with all of the provisions of the Program Guidelines. 19. The City reserves its rights to amend or impose additional terms and conditions as is deemed necessary by the City. 18 P a g e

19 INSURANCE CERTIFICATE GUIDELINES If awarded a grant, the Recipient shall at its sole cost and expense, obtain and maintain in full force and effect at all times throughout the term or extended term(s) of the Agreement, insurance satisfactory to the City of Mississauga with financially sound and reputable insurance companies licensed to underwrite insurance in the Province of Ontario. The Recipient shall be responsible for payment of all amounts within the deductible or self-insured retention under each policy of insurance. All Insurance policies required pursuant to this clause shall be primary and shall not call into contribution any insurance available to the City. The insurance shall include but not be limited to: a) Commercial general liability insurance in respect of the obligations and operations of The Recipient against claims for bodily injury, including personal injury and death, and property damage or loss, indemnifying and protecting The Recipient, their respective employees, servants, volunteers, agents, contractor s, invitees or licensee s, to the inclusive limit of Two Million ($2,000,000.00) OR Five Million ($5,000,000.00) Dollars per occurrence based on the City s assessment of risk. Such insurance shall specifically state by its wording or by endorsement that the following extensions of coverage are included: i. the City of Mississauga is included as additional insured under the policy with respect to the operations and obligations of The Recipient as outlined in this application; ii. contractual liability, non-owned automobile liability, owner s and contractor s protective liability, products and completed operations coverage, contingent employer s liability, and employees as additional insured s; iii. a cross-liability clause which shall have the effect of insuring each person, firm or corporation named in the policy as an insured in the same manner and to the same extent as if a separate policy had been issued to each; iv. if applicable, Abusive Acts Liability; v. a waiver of subrogation rights which the insurers may have against the City of Mississauga and against those for whom it is in law responsible. Prior to funding being awarded, the t Recipient shall deliver to the City, a City of Mississauga Certificate of Insurance Form, evidencing the insurance required. A PDF fillable Certificate of Insurance form can be obtained at 19 P a g e

20 MANDATORY COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM WEBINAR Please note that the webinar is only mandatory for applicants or their representatives who have not been a previous recipient of funding from the City of Mississauga s Community Grant Program. All applicants interested in attending the webinar are welcome to register. Webinar Dates and Times: Tuesday September 12,, :00pm 2:30pm Thursday September 14,, :00am 10:30am Please grants.coordinator@mississauga.ca to register for one of the Community Grant Program webinars. Be sure to include the date of the webinar you are registering for in your . Once your registration has been confirmed, you will receive an with details on how to access the Webinar. 20 P a g e

21 Recreation Division City of Mississauga 201 City Centre Drive, Suite 900 Mississauga ON L5B 2T